The Hope of a Home

The weight was too heavy to bear for Tayawna, and in 2019, she found herself suicidal. With four children to care for, she was able to push through this crisis, but negative influences lingered.   

Center for the Homeless

After a string of bad luck, Tayawna felt like she was carrying all the weight on her own, and she gave up. It was the second time Tayawna found herself homeless, but this time was different. 

At the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Tayawna worked with case managers who gave her resources to get back on her feet. It wasn’t until she met Catholic Charities Community Services Supervisor, Lauren Jankowski, that she finally felt seen. 

“Lauren helped me see that I had strength for the first time in my life,” Tayawna says. “She looked at me with unjudging eyes and a heart that was truly listening.” 

In partnership with the Center for the Homeless, Catholic Charities provides case management for residents before they transition out of the shelter. The program aids clients with things as simple as setting goals and budgeting, to overcoming hurdles like obtaining their birth certificate and finding housing. Most importantly, case managers lend an ear to whatever is on the client’s mind.   

“Lauren had the expertise to unpack what was happening in my life,” says Tayawna. “My whole outlook in life changed after Lauren helped me look at things more positively. We talked about what I was feeling, past footfalls and how these experiences have made me stronger.”  

Tayawna moved into her new home in February 2022. She continues to set goals with Lauren as she works to achieve her dream of opening a restaurant.   

“Food is so comforting,” says Taywna. “My goal is to attend culinary school so I can open a restaurant and create a food pantry on wheels with the leftover food. I want to give hope to the next person who has been through similar struggles. Most importantly, I want them to know a stranger can care about them.”